Official Information Act requests and responses

Official Information Act requests and responses

Find information on how you can make a request for official information held by the Tertiary Education Commission (the TEC) and view our responses to Official Information Act (OIA) requests.

Find information on how you can make a request for official information held by the Tertiary Education Commission (the TEC) and view our responses to Official Information Act (OIA) requests.

People in New Zealand can request government information (official information) and can expect it to be made available unless there is a good reason to withhold it.

The Official Information Act 1982 (or OIA) enables citizens, permanent residents, visitors to New Zealand, and body corporates registered or with a place of business in New Zealand, to make a request for official information held by government agencies, including the TEC.

Making an OIA request

Making a request

Your request for official information should be as clear and specific as you can possibly make it. Before making a request please check with our Customer Contact Group by calling 0800 601 301 in case the information you seek is already available.

To make a request we recommend you email OIA@tec.govt.nz. Alternatively you can write to us at the address below.

How long will it take?

We will acknowledge your request and are required by law to give you our decision on your request as soon as possible, and no later than 20 working days after we receive your request.

If we need more time to make our decision on your request, for example if you are requesting a lot of information, we will let you know and give you an idea of how long it will take. You can complain to the Office of the Ombudsman if you're not happy with our decision to extend the time.

What does it cost?

Requesting official information is free, though we can charge a reasonable amount if it will take a lot of work to supply the information requested. There's no charge for the first hour spent on your request or for the first 20 pages of photocopying.

These concerns can relate to the withholding of information, extending the timeframe to respond to you, any charges for providing the information you have requested, delays in providing you with a decision or the information, or your request being transferred.

The Office of the Ombudsman can investigate and review our decision and may make a recommendation to us if it is considered appropriate.